May 13, 2008 (New York, New York) - The CW Network announced a fall launch date of September 1 and unveiled the schedule for its 2008-2009 season today at a presentation and party for advertisers, affiliates and national media in the Tent at Lincoln Center. The announcement was made by Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, The CW.

“With shows that everyone is talking about, from `Gossip Girl' and `America's Next Top Model' to our upcoming `90210,' our new lineup has the best Monday-Friday schedule flow we have ever had at The CW,” said Ostroff. “We are zeroed in on our target demo of young women 18-34 with both new and returning series, and each programming block provides a strong promotional platform for the following night. We're confident that the quality of our shows for the fall season will make The CW the destination for young women.”

On Monday, the network will continue the successful combination of GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL. GOSSIP GIRL was the most buzz-worthy show of last season and had the highest concentration of female teens of any series on broadcast television. GOSSIP GIRL will return to its 8:00-9:00 p.m. slot, followed by ONE TREE HILL from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ONE TREE HILL's loyal fan base is the second youngest on television, and the series continued to grow last season despite its time period move.

On Tuesday, 90210, the most eagerly anticipated series of the fall, will premiere in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot. A fresh interpretation of the iconic 1990's drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” this spin-off features a dynamic cast of up-and-coming stars, familiar faces such as Lori Loughlin (“Summerland”) and Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”), and guest star Jennie Garth, who will reprise her role from the original series. 90210 promises to deliver all the drama and excitement of the original series. In the 9:00-10:00 p.m. timeslot, the new series SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH brings a distinctively witty note to the Tuesday lineup. Based on the best-selling book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by Zoe Dean, SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH stars JoAnna Garcia (“Reba”) as the live-in tutor to wild and wealthy teenage twin sisters in fabulous Palm Beach. SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH makes the perfect companion piece for 90210.

On Wednesday, The CW's top-rated series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL ranked first in its time period in adults and women 18-34 and was the sixth highest-rated show on television among female teens last season. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL returns in its successful 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot, followed by the new fashion reality show STYLISTA. From the creators of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL and “Project Runway,” and starring Elle magazine's Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, and Creative Director, Joe Zee, STYLISTA is “The Devil Wears Prada” reinvented as a reality series. With tough weekly challenges, 11 hopeful fashion enthusiasts will vie for a coveted editorial job and great prizes. Together, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL and STYLISTA make up the fall's most fashionable night of television.

On Thursday, the heroic team of SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL will continue to offer viewers great special effects and gorgeous men. From 8:00-9:00 p.m., SMALLVILLE was The CW's most-watched and highest-rated scripted series in total viewers and adults 18-49 last season. In the 9:00-10:00 p.m. hour, SUPERNATURAL is The CW's third most-watched scripted program, despite the highly competitive timeslot.

Big changes are in store on Fridays when The CW will offer the only comedy option of the night with returning hits EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS and THE GAME. The counter-programming theme continues in the 9:00-10:00 hour with an encore presentation of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL.

As previously announced, The CW is partnering with Media Rights Capital to program the Sunday night primetime block. Details on the individual series will be released at a later date.[I will post the details of this deal after this material.]

For Midseason, the critically acclaimed drama REAPER will return for a second season with The Devil and his bounty hunter.

Following is The CW's 2008-2009 primetime schedule, a night-by-night breakdown and accompanying details on all the programs.

Returning for its second season, GOSSIP GIRL is a one-hour drama based on an exclusive group of privileged prep school teens on Manhattan's Upper East Side whose lives revolve around the blog of the all-knowing albeit ultra-secretive Gossip Girl.? No one knows Gossip Girl's identity, but everyone in this exclusive and complicated vicious circle relies on her website and text messages for the latest scoop.? The series stars Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen, Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf, Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey, Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald, Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey, Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass, Jessica Szohr as Vanessa Abrams, Kelly Rutherford as Lily van der Woodsen and Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey. Filmed in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, GOSSIP GIRL is from College Hill Pictures and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Josh Schwartz (“The O.C.”), Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) and Bob Levy (“Surviving the Filthy Rich”).

9:00-10:00 P.M. “ONE TREE HILL”

Returning for its sixth season to the town of Tree Hill, last season ONE TREE HILL made the unprecedented move of taking the storylines four years into the future.? Season four ended as the young characters graduated high school and season five began post-college, four years later. The show also dipped into the past, returning to incidents and events that impacted the lives of this close group of friends who call Tree Hill home. The series stars Chad Michael Murray as Lucas Scott, James Lafferty as Nathan Scott, Hilarie Burton as Peyton Sawyer, Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis, Bethany Joy Galeotti as Haley James Scott, Lee Norris as Mouth, Antwon Tanner as Skills and Paul Johansson as Dan Scott. ONE TREE HILL was created by Mark Schwahn and is executive produced by Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins. ONE TREE HILL is a Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

TUESDAY 8:00-9:00 P.M. “90210” (New Series)

An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the new 90210 looks at life through the eyes of Annie Mills (Shenae Grimes, “Degrassi: The Next Generation”) and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds, “The Wire”), whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt they're not in Kansas anymore. The Mills family, including dad Harry (casting TBD) and mom Debbie (Lori Loughlin, “Summerland”), has relocated to Beverly Hills to keep an eye on Harry's mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter, “Arrested Development”), a feisty-but-faded former television star and a charter member of the Betty Ford Clinic. For Annie and Dixon, the awkwardness of being the new kids is made worse by the fact that their dad has taken a job as the high school principal. The school is one big culture shock for Annie, a sweet and friendly girl with a passion for the theater, and Dixon, a star athlete and scholar who was adopted by the Mills family after they took him in as a foster child. Annie and Dixon have a close sibling relationship, which they'll need to help them cope with all the new cliques and classmates, including Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord, “Nip/Tuck”), a hot, spoiled, rich girl; Ethan (Dustin Milligan, “Runaway”), a popular jock whose abilities rival Dixon's; Navid (Michael Steger, “The Winner”), an aspiring reporter who heads up the school's daily newscast; and Silver (Jessica Stroup, “Prom Night”), a rebel who produces and stars in a YouTube-type video series. Even the faculty seems hip and sophisticated at WBHHS, such as smart and funny teacher Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold, “Dirt”) and beautiful guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (guest star Jennie Garth, the original “Beverly Hills, 90210”). The Mills family has just begun to realize how much their lives are about to change. 90210 is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah (“Freaks & Geeks”). Mark Piznarski (“Gossip Girl”) is the director and executive producer of the pilot.

9:00-10:00 P.M. “SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH” (New Series) Twenty-three-year-old Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia, “Reba”) has a Yale education, a relentlessly positive attitude and a plan to conquer the world of journalism, despite the fact that she is currently slaving away at a tabloid rag. Megan's plan is thrown off course when, in one whirlwind day, she gets fired, meets cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges (casting TBD) and becomes the live-in tutor for Laurel's twin teen granddaughters in the heady Palm Beach world of wealth and power. The girls, Rose (Lucy Kate Hale, “Bionic Woman”) and Sage (Ashley Newbrough, “The Best Years”), are beautiful, rebellious and less-than-thrilled with their new tutor, but Megan is determined to win them over as she enjoys the perks of her new job - breathtaking private suite, gorgeous convertible and live-in chef Marco (Allan Louis, “Stomp the Yard”). Even the neighbors are fabulous in Palm Beach, and Megan quickly catches the eye of Will (casting TBD), the wealthy and extremely hot dilettante who lives on the estate next door and just happens to be dating Megan's estranged sister Lily (casting TBD). Completing this romantic quadrangle is Megan's best friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy, “Smallville,” “The O.C.”), who is secretly in love with her. Despite her own complicated romantic and family relationships, Megan is committed to making a difference in the lives of her two headstrong charges as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society in Palm Beach. SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH is based on the Alloy Entertainment book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by best-selling author Zoey Dean (“The A-List”). The series is from Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television with executive producers Rina Mimoun (“Gilmore Girls,” “Everwood”), Bob Levy (“Gossip Girl”) and Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl,” “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”). Michael Engler (“30 Rock”) directed the pilot.

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. “AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL” Returning for its eleventh cycle, the runaway runway hit series stars Tyra Banks. The show gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. With mentoring by Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes must endure a highly accelerated modeling boot camp and face weekly tests to determine who will make the cut as they vie for a professional modeling contract. The executive producers are Ken Mok (“Making the Band”), Tyra Banks and Daniel Soiseth (“Hell's Kitchen”). The reality series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

9:00-10:00 P.M. “STYLISTA” (New Series) If “The Devil Wears Prada” were a reality show, it would be STYLISTA. Eleven aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for a much-coveted editorial job with Elle magazine.? They work as assistants to Elle's Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, a demanding but well-respected fashion icon. The competitors will carry out an assistant task and a fashion editorial assignment in each episode. Each week, in consultation with Elle's Creative Director, Joe Zee, Anne fires one person, until the last assistant standing gets “promoted” to the coveted real-life job opportunity. The grand prize includes a paid editorial position at Elle magazine, a paid lease on a great apartment in Manhattan, and a clothing allowance at H&M, all for one year, valued at $100,000. STYLISTA is from 10 by 10 Entertainment, Inc. and Bankable Incorporated in association with Magic Molehill Productions, Inc. and Warner Horizon Television Inc. with executive producers Tyra Banks, Ken Mok, Eli Holzman, Desiree Gruber and Jane Cha.

THURSDAY 8:00-9:00 P.M. “SMALLVILLE” Returning for its eighth season, this new interpretation of the enduring Superman mythology and its classic characters blends realism and adventure into an exciting action series. Last season, Clark Kent and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) became the sworn enemies that comic book aficionados have always known and loved. The season also brought storylines of Krypton and the El family, including the arrival of Clark's cousin Kara, a.k.a. Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort), and the return of Brainiac (James Marsters). There were also exciting guest stars from the Superman mythology, including Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark”) and Helen Slater (“Supergirl”). Clark discovered more about his home planet, who his parents were, what his future holds and why he was sent to Earth. The series stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent, Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, Erica Durance as Lois Lane and Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olsen. Reinterpreting the Superman mythology from its roots, SMALLVILLE was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Shanghai Noon,” “Spiderman 2”), based on the DC Comics characters.? The executive producers are Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer, James Marshall, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television.? Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.

9:00-10:00 P.M “SUPERNATURAL” Returning for its fourth season, this haunting series follows Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers bound by tragedy and blood to their dangerous, other-worldly mission.? This past season, the clock was ticking as Sam and Dean journeyed into the dark world of the unexplained to find a way to break Dean's deadly contract with the evil Lilith. The series stars Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester. SUPERNATURAL is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Kripke Enterprises Inc. and Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers Eric Kripke (“Boogeyman”), McG (“Charlie's Angels,” “The O.C.”), Robert Singer (“Midnight Caller”) and Kim Manners (“The X-Files”).

FRIDAY 8:00-8:30 P.M. “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” Returning for its fourth season, this hit comedy was inspired by the childhood experiences of comedian Chris Rock. Rock also serves as the narrator of this hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggled to find his place. At the conclusion of season three, Chris' excitement over graduation from middle school was ruined when his best friend announced his plans to attend a different high school in the fall. This responsible, resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his everyday trials and traumas, in the Golden Globe- and People's Choice-nominated comedy EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. The single-camera comedy series stars Tyler James Williams (“Unaccompanied Minors”) as Chris, Terry Crews (“The Longest Yard”) as Julius, Tichina Arnold (“Martin”) as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond (“Ray”) as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella (“Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo”) as Greg. EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS is a production of CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Chris Rock Enterprises, Inc. and 3 Arts Entertainment. Co-creator and narrator Chris Rock (“Head of State”), co-creator and writer Ali LeRoi (“Head of State”), Michael Rotenberg (“King of the Hill”), Dave Becky (“Lucky Louie”) and Don Reo (“My Wife and Kids”) are executive producers.

8:30-9:00 P.M. “THE GAME” Returning for its third season, THE GAME is a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the wives and girlfriends of pro-football players. This comedy tackles the way these women deal with egos, groupies and image consultants and shows how THE GAME is really played among the women behind the athletes. The series stars Tia Mowry (“Sister, Sister”) as Melanie Barnett, Coby Bell (“Third Watch”) as Jason Pitts, Pooch Hall (“Miracle's Boys”) as Derwin Davis, Hosea Chanchez (“For Your Love”) as Malik Wright, Brittany Daniel (“White Chicks”) as Kelly Pitts and Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Steve Harvey Show”) as Tasha Mack. THE GAME is a production of Happy Camper Productions and Grammnet Productions in association with CBS Paramount Network Television. Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier,” “Girlfriends”), creator Mara Brock Akil (“Girlfriends,” “Moesha,” “The Jamie Foxx Show”) and Steve Stark serve as executive producers.

9:00-10:00 P.M. “AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL” (Encore Presentation) Returning for its eleventh cycle, the runaway runway hit series stars Tyra Banks. The show gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. With mentoring by Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes must endure a highly accelerated modeling boot camp and face weekly tests to determine who will make the cut as they vie for a professional modeling contract. The executive producers are Ken Mok (“Making the Band”), Tyra Banks and Daniel Soiseth (“Hell's Kitchen”). The reality series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

SUNDAY Details on the original series from The CW's partnership with Media Rights Capital will be released at a later date.

MIDSEASON “REAPER” Returning for its second season, REAPER blends suspense and humor as it follows Sam, a slacker whose world turned upside down on his 21st birthday when he learned that his parents sold his soul to the Devil before he was born. Charged by the Devil himself to be Hell's bounty hunter, Sam, with the aid of his goofball friends, Sock and Ben, and loyal girlfriend Andi, must track down evil-doers and send them back where they belong. Along the way, Sam has learned a lot about friendship, trust and the line between good and evil. The series stars Bret Harrison as Sam Oliver, Tyler Labine as Bert “Sock” Wysocki, Ray Wise as the Devil, Missy Peregrym as Andi Prendergast, Rick Gonzalez as Ben Gonzalez, Valarie Rae Miller as Josie Miller, Donavon Stinson as Ted and Andrew Airlie as Mr. Oliver. REAPER is from ABC Studios with executive producers Michele Fazekas (“Ed,” “Law & Order, Special Victims Unit”), Tara Butters (“Ed,” “Law & Order, Special Victims Unit”), Mark Gordon (“Grey's Anatomy,” Criminal Minds”), Deborah Spera (“Criminal Minds”) and Tom Spezialy (“Desperate Housewives”).

[Here's the previous release on the Sunday night deal:]

The CW is aligning with Media Rights Capital to program its Sunday night primetime programming block for the 2008-09 broadcast television season. The strategic alliance between the two companies will take effect in Fall 2008 and feature four new programs—two comedies and two dramas—from top producers and creative talent. The joint announcement was made today by Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, The CW, John Maatta, Chief Operating Officer, The CW and Keith Samples, President, Television, Media Rights Capital.

"This is a strategic move by The CW that will give viewers more original programming on Sunday nights than we have ever had," said Ostroff. "As the leading independent producer of television programming, MRC will bring a slate of high-quality entertainment to our air on the most competitive night on television, while we will focus our resources and efforts on strengthening our Monday through Friday schedule."

"This kind of alliance is becoming common in our business, and it's a win for all involved—affiliates, advertisers and viewers," said Maatta. "It will also allow our sales team more opportunity to capitalize on our new Friday night schedule with the departure of wrestling, as that is such a critical night for retailers and marketers with a weekend product push."

"We are thrilled to team with The CW and bring our new shows to their air," said Samples. "Our blend of comedy and drama will be exciting, accessible and a perfect fit for the network and its affiliate constituency. We have been building momentum at MRC and will continue to drive our business with innovative partnerships like this one."

"When we decided to get into the television business we knew the ground was shifting," said Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu, co-CEOs of MRC. "By partnering with the best talent and a network like The CW, whose conception was based on innovation, Sunday nights have suddenly become our favorite night of the week."

"We have great confidence in the producing skills and talent at MRC," said Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting. "We think this is a great move, and as The CW Network begins expanding its audience reach on Sunday, our local stations will certainly benefit."

Details on MRC's Sunday night programs on The CW will be announced shortly.